I am completely new to Linux. I now have Ubuntu 10.10 installed on my computer as a dual boot system with Windows. Unfortunately I can't get my Netgear WNA1100 USB wirless adapter to work. I have unsuccessfully tried some suggestions but I am hoping for some very simple step by step instructions as my lack of knowledge of text commands may be at fault.

I did manage to run something that was supposed to install the driver from a Windows cd installation .inf file but this didn't work and merely appeared to cause Ubuntu to boot into text mode before windows mode which is slightly annoying.

I also have a Belkin F5D7051 USB adapter that doesn't work either but this is a fairly ancient device which is not supported by the newer versions of Windows so it is of liitle use on my dual boot system.

Can anyone help please? I am very impressed with Ubuntu and I would like to migrate from Windows altogether. I was familiar with DOS and I hope to learn Linux eventually. I should have done this years ago.

Hello and thank you.
I followed your instructions to the letter but I got errors in the terminal window each time. I have to change from Windows to Ubuntu in order to use the internet and I assume that's where something went wrong else I need even simpler instructions. I did manage to run your script simply by copying it directly into the terminal and it produced the attached code.
I know you asked me to use the forum code tags but what are they and how do I access them? I have even found difficulty in finding my own post so you may guage my level of ignorance.

The code tags are just above the text area when you reply to a thread, if you only use the "Quick Reply" you won't see it. You must select Reply or Quote, to see the code tags icon. It looks like a # sign. You just highlight your text and click on the code tag.
EDIT: You can also use your own code tags but you need to remove the spaces from my example for it to work. [CODE ] This would be your code [ /CODE]
To find your posts in the future, just login and click the "User Control Panel" link. Top left side of your screen.
I added your info to your post, it just makes it easier for everyone. It looks like everything is working correctly to me. I see the Device "Intel Corporation PRO/Wireless 5100 AGN" and the driver loaded is "iwlagn". Do you have a network icon in your system tray? Bottom Right side of the screen where the clock should be. Have you tried clicking on that and create a new Wireless connection from there?

if your router is set to use N mode only, then that might be why you can't connect!

Ubuntu had N mode disabled because of a bug in firmware which has been fixed now, so if you follow that post it will tell you to delete a file, which should hopefully solve the problem

Nice find and thanks for posting it. Hopefully it will help.

01-05-2011

klas442

The router uses G mode. The usb adapter can use either G or N mode and I had assumed that it would default to the router.
I have a network icon in the top right corner of the screen which only shows wired connections with no reference to wireless.
Even though I cannot get a connection shouldn't the usb device light be illuminated to show that it is recognised but not connected.

01-05-2011

klas442

You are good! I plugged in my old antiquated Belkin USB adapter and I am now connected to the internet. It seems a shame that I can't use the same adapter for Windows and Ubuntu OS. Belkin do not provide support on Windows 7and Ubuntu just doesn't like the Netgear adapter.

It's a small price to pay and hopefully I won't need to run Windows in the future. I did find the code tags but it was far to obvious once it was pointed out! My brain just doesn't work that way!

My problem regarding the Netgear WNA1100 adapter was not resolved. My connection problem was and I am more than happy and very grateful. Thank you!

01-05-2011

MikeTbob

Quote:

Originally Posted by klas442

The router uses G mode. The usb adapter can use either G or N mode and I had assumed that it would default to the router.
I have a network icon in the top right corner of the screen which only shows wired connections with no reference to wireless.
Even though I cannot get a connection shouldn't the usb device light be illuminated to show that it is recognised but not connected.

And right/left click won't bring up a window with Wireless settings either? There should be a setting somewhere to "Enable Wireless".

Glad you got it working anyways, if you keep messing with the other one, I'm sure you'll get it working too.

01-06-2011

klas442

I have printed the post iwlagn won't do wireless N. I will give it a try when I am more practiced with Linux. I have already discovered that when I blindly follow instructions that are not crystal clear can at best just fail or cause unexpected results. I appreciate your time and I don't doubt that you would have cured the adapter problem. Thank you very much for your help and interest.